Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Washington: Howell may not have a margin for error as thin as Carson Wentz or Taylor Heinicke had last season. Between the two drives with a sack, rookie defensive back Quan Martin made an athletic interception in the end zone and returned it all the way to the Baltimore 45. Last season, the Commanders struggled to force turnovers and the defense gave the offense better starting field position than the opponent’s 45 only six times all season.
“Huge plus,” Rivera said.
The FedEx Field crowd seems aware of Howell’s tendency to hang on to the ball too long.